Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
We are writing to express our concern with the proposed changes to the Congestion Charge from 22 June 2020.
Firstly, we are surprised that the congestion charge should be extended both in terms of daily time and to cover weekends without careful consultation. It has an impact on business, residents on both sides of the edge of the zone and religious groups (churches etc.). Rather than any analytical evidence or impact assessment this decision appears to have been made arbitrarily to try and generate revenue due to difficulties at TfL.
Secondly, we appreciate the current need to keep footfall in London low, but it would seem counter intuitive to drive people onto public transport that we are currently told to avoid. Furthermore, the extension of hours in the evening and at weekends will severely inhibit people who meet at churches, attend community events, and visit family members. For example, there are some congregants who are over 60s, have health difficulties and their only means of transport (especially in the current circumstance) would be by car. The proposed approach would restrict and severely affect their lives and attendance at their place of worship. As you are aware the steps taken by Transport for London affect free travel and impose a cost if the car is taken into the central London Congestion Charge Zone. In effect some will be faced with a 15 pound charge twice or three times a week to practice their religion at a time outside of the peak hours in London.
Thirdly, the fact this step has not been imposed before would demonstrate that the centre of London has not been considered as congested on Saturday’s and Sunday especially in the office and more residential areas and these people should not be forgotten. Weekend and evening activity when the commuters and office workers are gone helps form the life blood of the enduring community as people in and out of the Congestion Charge gather together.
Were this extension to continue beyond this current crisis it would show a scant regard to the religious communities that come together in the heart to of London and designates a patch of central London non-reachable for religious services unless you have the appropriate level of wealth. The very opposite of what we would hope the Government, the Mayor and TfL would want to achieve.
Please postpone the introduction of the weekend/evening extension until proper assessments have been made and after a full consultation period with all parties effected.
Yours Sincerely,
The Undersigned.
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Updates
May 15, 2020
The feedback I receive daily highlights a profound concern for how these changes disrupt the rhythm of daily life for residents and community groups. I have spent this week compiling these stories to ensure the decision makers understand that this policy affects real people beyond just the financial implications.
May 15, 2020
The steady growth of this petition shows that many people share these same concerns about the impact of the congestion charge on our community. This momentum confirms that our collective focus on the needs of residents and religious groups is a conversation that needs to be taken seriously.
19 Comments
Lockdown ends when this thing starts churches hit a crises after a crises don't let it be the end our church 215 years old in sw1
We are all aware that since this congestion charge was brought in, it hasn’t helped ease congestion one bit. What has happened however, is that the average speed of vehicles has slowed down, the number of badly driven mini cabs has greatly increased, and the air pollution has most likely worsened, and it is the working class people who are paying for these ‘privileges’. That clearly isn’t enough though. Why don’t we charge people during the weekend too? Why don’t we make it last until 10pm? Why don’t we raise the prices? Why don’t we make the elderly and disabled people pay to travel? It is an act of pure greed. At least don’t cover it up under the guise of ‘easing congestion’. Just call it what it is and at least be honest while you rob us all.
I go to church in westminster and to attend the wed evening bible study, run the friday youth meeting, visit the elderly members on Saturday and attend church in sunday will cost over £200 a month. it is wrong to charge people for going to church.
Disproportionate. We are fearful of using public transport, encouraged not to by Government, and when we resort to our cars, as encouraged by Government, this is what awaits us.
This seems to be nothing more than a money-grab by tfl. People are stretched right now as it is and this will only add insult to injury. It will disproportionately harm residents who have to live in the area 7 days a week, but not commuters, who only come M-F.
Disgusting
I agree with everything written in the petition
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
We are writing to express our concern with the proposed changes to the Congestion Charge from 22 June 2020.
Firstly, we are surprised that the congestion charge should be extended both in terms of daily time and to cover weekends without careful consultation. It has an impact on business, residents on both sides of the edge of the zone and religious groups (churches etc.). Rather than any analytical evidence or impact assessment this decision appears to have been made arbitrarily to try and generate revenue due to difficulties at TfL.
Secondly, we appreciate the current need to keep footfall in London low, but it would seem counter intuitive to drive people onto public transport that we are currently told to avoid. Furthermore, the extension of hours in the evening and at weekends will severely inhibit people who meet at churches, attend community events, and visit family members. For example, there are some congregants who are over 60s, have health difficulties and their only means of transport (especially in the current circumstance) would be by car. The proposed approach would restrict and severely affect their lives and attendance at their place of worship. As you are aware the steps taken by Transport for London affect free travel and impose a cost if the car is taken into the central London Congestion Charge Zone. In effect some will be faced with a 15 pound charge twice or three times a week to practice their religion at a time outside of the peak hours in London.
Thirdly, the fact this step has not been imposed before would demonstrate that the centre of London has not been considered as congested on Saturday’s and Sunday especially in the office and more residential areas and these people should not be forgotten. Weekend and evening activity when the commuters and office workers are gone helps form the life blood of the enduring community as people in and out of the Congestion Charge gather together.
Were this extension to continue beyond this current crisis it would show a scant regard to the religious communities that come together in the heart to of London and designates a patch of central London non-reachable for religious services unless you have the appropriate level of wealth. The very opposite of what we would hope the Government, the Mayor and TfL would want to achieve.
Please postpone the introduction of the weekend/evening extension until proper assessments have been made and after a full consultation period with all parties effected.
Yours Sincerely,
The Undersigned.
Updates
May 15, 2020
The feedback I receive daily highlights a profound concern for how these changes disrupt the rhythm of daily life for residents and community groups. I have spent this week compiling these stories to ensure the decision makers understand that this policy affects real people beyond just the financial implications.
May 15, 2020
The steady growth of this petition shows that many people share these same concerns about the impact of the congestion charge on our community. This momentum confirms that our collective focus on the needs of residents and religious groups is a conversation that needs to be taken seriously.
19 Comments
This should be aloud to happen. It penalises the those who have sacrificed and lost so much, while being put out of work because of the lockdown. This move willnot decrease, but increase emmissions in London because traffic will have to drive round the zone on the weekends too.
Lockdown ends when this thing starts churches hit a crises after a crises don't let it be the end our church 215 years old in sw1
We are all aware that since this congestion charge was brought in, it hasn’t helped ease congestion one bit. What has happened however, is that the average speed of vehicles has slowed down, the number of badly driven mini cabs has greatly increased, and the air pollution has most likely worsened, and it is the working class people who are paying for these ‘privileges’. That clearly isn’t enough though. Why don’t we charge people during the weekend too? Why don’t we make it last until 10pm? Why don’t we raise the prices? Why don’t we make the elderly and disabled people pay to travel? It is an act of pure greed. At least don’t cover it up under the guise of ‘easing congestion’. Just call it what it is and at least be honest while you rob us all.
I go to church in westminster and to attend the wed evening bible study, run the friday youth meeting, visit the elderly members on Saturday and attend church in sunday will cost over £200 a month. it is wrong to charge people for going to church.
Disproportionate. We are fearful of using public transport, encouraged not to by Government, and when we resort to our cars, as encouraged by Government, this is what awaits us.
This seems to be nothing more than a money-grab by tfl. People are stretched right now as it is and this will only add insult to injury. It will disproportionately harm residents who have to live in the area 7 days a week, but not commuters, who only come M-F.
Disgusting
I agree with everything written in the petition
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This should be aloud to happen. It penalises the those who have sacrificed and lost so much, while being put out of work because of the lockdown. This move willnot decrease, but increase emmissions in London because traffic will have to drive round the zone on the weekends too.